Tevez To Play At Pompey?

Though he was pencilled in for the derby, Carlos Tevez might make his United debut in Portsmouth.

After seeing his side struggling and ultimately failing to overcome Reading and Rooney fracturing his foot again, Sir Alex hinted he might include Tevez in his squad that travels to Portsmouth for Wednesday's game.

'Carlos has an extra few days' training anyway, and he was already being considered for Wednesday's game,' the Manchester Evening News quotes Ferguson.

I don't think he has much choice: I mean, we can't play O'Shea up front against Pompey. Anderson, Nani, Ronaldo, Giggs, Tevez - they all must be in the squad and preferably Saha, too, though he's only started full training last week.

His decision may have raised a few eyebrows but Fergie has an explanation why he threw in O'Shea as a striker.

'He almost scored, from a good chance. There was no point in changing midfield because Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick were in control.

'What we needed was someone in the box to finish the chances we were making, and John is a good finisher. We could have played Cristiano in there but he is not an out-and-out striker.

Well, we are already two points behind but we were two points behind in the middle of September last season so no reason to worry - if we beat Portsmouth and City. If we don't... well, we can still cheer on Chelsea's opponents (except Liverpool, there a draw would suffice).